Sunday, July 16, 2017

1961 - Pete Folse Takes 30-lap Feature at Fairgrounds

Pete Folse

Terre Haute, Ind. (July 16, 1961) - Pete Folse of Tampa, Fla.,
two-time national driving champion, led all the way in winning the
International Motor Contest Association's 30-lap Hoosier Sweepstakes yesterday
at the Vigo County Fairgrounds.

Al Sweeney and his National Speedways Inc., promotion along
with 45 of the top sprint car drivers and their machines invaded what was
normally USAC territory with an IMCA sprint car program at the fairgrounds on
Sunday afternoon.

Folse, the outstanding performer in the program, also won the
trophy dash, his heat race, and turned in the fastest qualifying lap. His
winning time in the feature event was 13 minutes and 8 seconds.

In addition to the spray of dirt and the sound of engines
there was a touch of beauty at the track. Miss Indiana of 1961, Miss Kathleen
Jane Burke of Terre Haute, was on hand to kiss the winner and present the IMCA
Inaugural Trophy.

Folse, handling the controls on his Bardahl Offenhauser
Special, owned by Hector Horore, took the lead from his pole position and
finished a good seven seconds ahead of his closest competitor.

Cecil Beaver of Bedford, Ind., was second and Buzz Rose of
Compton, Calif., finished third in the feature field of 16 drivers. Beaver
drove a Chevrolet and Rose an Offenhauser.

Only 11 cars finished the race. At stake was a purse valued at
better than $3,100 plus accessories and championship points. Folse, who
qualified in 24.14 seconds - more than a full second faster than the next best
qualifier - blazed from his last place start to head man in the first lap of
the first heat race and won going away in 3 minute and 4 seconds. Behind him were Daniels,
Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., and Barton.

Each heat race went seven laps. Richert captured the second
heat race ahead of Beaver, Wagner and Leverenz in 3 minutes and 4 seconds despite a yellow flag
delay when Roger Hegg of Minneapolis crashed into the retaining wall. Hindahl
finished in front in the third heat with Knepper, Rose and Jim McElreath also
qualifying. Hindahl's time was 3 minutes and 8 seconds.

Folse then returned to win the four-car, five-lap trophy dash
in 2 minutes and 12 seconds. Behind him were Johnny White of Warren, Mich.; Blundy and Leverenz.
Leep won the special consolation event of 10 laps which provide fans with the
most excitement.

Twenty cars were entered in the consolation event and only 10
finished. Six cars spun on the second lap which caused the red flag to be
displayed and a restart ordered. Two more cars were forced to retire after
spins on the first lap after the second start. Dale Breedlove of Waco, Tex.,
added to the action when his Chevrolet caught on fire.

The 3,500 race fans who turned out to view the “invaders”
expressed nothing but praise for the handling of the program, which was slowed
by a light shower after the consolation. They also gave out high marks for the
caliber of drivers competing on the IMCA circuit.

Preserving the history of Midwest Auto Racing

So much racing history has been made through the years right here in the Midwest.

From the rich dirt ovals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska to the paved short tracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin, some of the best drivers ever to get behind the wheel of a race car competed right here in the heartland.

We all have our own story to share about our favorite driver who thrilled us everytime they rolled onto the track or that one particular race that still stands out as the greatest they ever saw.

We'll go back in history, 10, 20, 30, 40, even 50 years ago (even more) and reminisce about what has made racing in the Midwest so special for us.